No visit to Dublin would be complete without a visit to one (or ten) of its many pubs (last count says there are over 600 pubs). Drink is relatively expensive: a pint of stout costs from €4.00 and up, while lager costs around €4.50 and up. Since the government gave a tax break to micro-brewed beer , this had a slight effect on prices in brew pubs. Pubs serve drinks until 24.00 with some drinking-up time allowed. Many bars have late licenses allowing them to serve up to 03:30, although this usually means a cover charge or price increases after 24.00.
Smoking has been illegal in Irish pubs (as well as all indoor workplaces) since March 2004; this has had the positive side effect of increasing al fresco facilities. Beer tends to be more expensive around the Temple Bar area, due to the increased tourist flow, and will be cheaper in more traditional styled pubs.
There are pubs in Dublin offering cheaper drinks, if you are willing to go off the beaten trail or ask other patrons for suggestions. Fibber McGees just off Parnell square, in the City, has €3 per drink for any drink including shorts, every Thursday night. (There is a €5 door fee to enter after 21:00 Thursday) please be aware Fibber McGees is a heavy metal bar, so if loud music is not your thing then best avoid. Craft beer bars also tend to have certain pints available for around €4.
The Temple Bar that people often speak of is an area that used to be a sand bar, not an actual bar. (Originally, anyway; there is a pub called “The Temple Bar” in Temple Bar.) The Temple Bar district has a mixture of food, drink, shopping and music. It appeals to all ages, but is a hot spot for tourists. The narrow, cobble stoned streets gives it an original feeling within the heart of the city. Its central location also makes it easy to walk to from Dublin’s Centre. However, late night revellers tend to make it an unpleasant place to be after dark. It can be taken over by drunken stag and boisterous hen parties, many who travel cheaply from the United Kingdom to avail of Temple Bar’s delights. Tourists should beware that prices in the Temple Bar area can go as high as €7.50 for a pint.
Traditional Irish Bars
The Celt – 81-82 Talbot Street, Dublin 1. Traditional Irish pub with live music every night from 9pm. Very popular with locals and tourists. Serves hot food all day long.
An Conradh – Conradh na Gaeilge, 6, Harcourt St.. An Irish language Pub on Harcourt St, where you can hear Irish spoken as a first language and also enjoy a beverage with friends in a Georgian building.
Peadar Kearney’s – 64 Dame St, Dublin 2. Named after the man who penned Amhráin na bhFiann, Ireland’s National Anthem, A great spot for pre- and post- gig drinks next to the Olympia Theatre, Peadar’s attracts a young & lively crowd, with Live music from up and coming Irish trad bands. Mostly tourists here but a nice spot to talk to other visitors.
The Cobblestone – North King Street, Dublin 7. Easily Dublin’s most famous Trad pub, situated in the North end of the famous Smithfield square this pub has had just about every single Irish Trad group play it. Trad sessions are nightly, expect a good mixed crowd.
Frank Ryans – Queen Street, Dublin 7. A favourite with students from Blackhall Place, this quaint pub keeps a traditional feel with a bit of a twist. Friendly bar staff and a highly mixed crowd of local students, law types, trendies and locals makes this a lively, fun spot for a few drinks. Expect weekly trad nights interspersed with Rockabilly, Country and Soul on the jukebox.
O’Donoghue’s – Merrion Row, Dublin 2. Famous for impromptu live music. Where folk Group The Dubliners were formed.
The Barge – 42 Charlemont Street, Dublin 2. Near St. Steven’s Green. Excellent pub food, great decor; a friendly traditional pub with very good food. Try the fish and chips, except get the wedges instead of the chips. Golden brown on the outside, crunchy, tender inside.
Hartigan’s, 100 Lower Leeson Street Dublin. Popular student bar, as a result occasionally raucous. Good option after international rugby matches.
The Brazen Head – Bridge Street, Dublin 2. Possibly the oldest pub in Dublin but not the oldest pub in Ireland. Approximatly a thousand years old. Wonderful on warm, dry summer nights during the rare occaisions when they happen. Live traditional music and very friendly atmosphere. One of the bars is covered in signed currency notes, usually dollars, from people who wanted to leave their mark on the place. There is a large, heated open-air section enclosed within the centre of the building which is perfect for smokers. One of very few places in Dublin which serves the lesser known but very tasty Macardles brand of ale.
O’Shea’s – Bridge Street, Dublin 2. – live traditional music and dancing.
Fallon’s – The Coombe, Dublin 8 (near St. Patrick’s Cathedral). small friendly local pub.
The Oval – Abbey Street, Dublin 1. Good for drink and food, said to have the best Irish stew in Dublin. Attracts a mixed age group. Lots of pictures of old Irish celebrities with a tribute to the Quiet Man.
Bachelors Inn – Bachelors Walk, Dublin 1 (near O’Connell Bridge). Good pints of Guinness and a choice of batch or regular white bread on your toasted sandwich. Popular post GAA match pub with the Dublin crowd.
Bowe’s Lounge – Fleet St, Dublin 2. Old Victorian pub, around for over 140 years.
Mulligans – Poolbeg Street, Dublin 2. Busy pub with great Guinness with plenty of history having been frequented by James Joyce among others.
Nancy Hands – Parkgate Street, Dublin 8. Tel: +353 1 6770149. Classic Bar & Restaurant situated close to Dublin’s Phoenix Park, the National Museum at Collins Barracks, and a short stroll from Heuston train station.
Ryan’s – Parkgate St, Dublin 8 (near Heuston Station). Beautiful Victorian pub. A good place to have a pint before getting a train out of Dublin.
The Palace Bar – Fleet St, Dublin 2. Located at the edge of Temple Bar, this traditional bar has interesting decor complete with “snug” (small private booth). Live music upstairs Wednesday and Saturday.
The Long Hall – 31 south Great Georges Street, Dublin 2. Atmospheric bar with interesting wooden decor, nice window to sit at to people watch.
Kehoe’s –South Anne Street. Located just off Grafton St, this is an excellent spot for a pint after a hectic days shopping. Several snugs downstairs.
Kennedy’s – 30/32 Westland Row, Dublin 2. Located to the rear of Trinity college, this traditional style pub serves good quality food and drink with plenty of friendly atmosphere. Also home to The Underground one of Dublin’s newest and most intimate venues.
O’Neills – Suffolk Street (near Grafton Street). Excellent atmosphere in a Victorian style design.
The Stag’s Head – Dame Lane (off Great Georges Street).Waterways Ireland Visitors Centre, Grand Canal Quay Dublin 2 (10 minutes on foot from O’Connell St. Bus numbers 3, 50, 77/77A, 151 stop close to the main entrance. By Dart at Grand Canal station and by Luas at Spencer Dock), ☎ +353 1 677-7510. 10AM-6PM. NOTE: check before you visit, as this has been closed for some years. €4, children €2, students/seniors €3.
The Dawson Lounge – top of Dawson Street. Dublin’s (or Ireland’s) smallest pub. Twenty people and it is packed.
McDaids – just off Grafton Street right next to Westbury Hotel. Was a regular place for Oscar Wilde to ponder life.
Grogans (Castle Lounge) – South William Street, Dublin 2. Wonderful traditional pub, no music or TV. Great Guinness and a mixture of tourists and locals, with interesting art on the walls.
Modern Bars
The Bailey – Duke Street, Dublin 2. Located just off Grafton Street, this swish bar tends to attract the sophisticated side of Dublin’s society, popular amongst celebrities as well. Very busy during the summer afternoons and evenings with a nice outdoor seating area.
The Dice Bar – Benburb Street/Queen Street, Dublin 7. Mixes old school charm with cool sensibilities. If you’re thinking of heading in on the weekend, get there early because this place is absolutely crammed. 20 minutes walk from the GPO this bar has an eclectic mix of people and music, expect anything from ska, to reggae, to rockabilly. Sundays are especially cool with a biker/greaser crowd enjoying the 50’s music on offer.
Lotts –60-62 The Lotts, 9 Liffey Street, Dublin 1. A small pub with a interior decorated with chandeliers, a marble bar and comfortable leather seating. Live music many nights. Small outside seating area as well.
The Market Bar –Fade Street, Dublin 2, [81]. Opened in 2005, large spacious bar, with murmur of conversation in the background, nice tapas restaurant with a good value menu.
The Odeon – Harcourt Street, Dublin 2. Ornate bar at the top of Harcourt Street housed in a converted railway station; the new tram system has a stop directly outside.
Pygmalion – South William Street, Dublin 2. Directly opposite Grogan’s, in the Powerscourt Townhouse shopping centre; a modern contrast.
Café en Seine – Dawson Street, Dublin 2. Typical, and not entirely unpleasant, example of a Dublin ‘megapub'; recently extended to include tropical trees at the back– Very expensive.
The Globe – 11 South Great Georges Street, Dublin 2. One of the original trendy bars to hit Dublin in the mid 90’s. Having one of Dublins longest running clubs Ri-Ra in the basement.
Lost Society – South William Street, Dublin 2. located next to the Powerscourt shopping centre, modern “trendy” venue.
Micro-breweries/ Brew-pubs
Against the Grain – Wexford Street, Dublin 2. Owned by a Galway-based brewery, offers a wide variety of Irish micro-brews and world beers. Does not serve generic commercial beers on tap. A vibrant pub with an eclectic clientele. No tv (a blessing or a curse depending on your point of view), soft music, boardgames, great beer, great food.
The Bull and Castle – 5-7 Lord Edward Street (next to Christchurch), Dublin 2. Very interesting gastro pub which offers a beer hall a large selection of microbrewed and international beers. The range of beers available is not quite as extensive as The Porterhouse but it does give the option of 0.3, 0.5 and 1-litre beers. Make sure to try a Galway Hooker (a pale ale) and the Edinburgh-style deep fried Mars bar.
J. W. Sweetman – Burgh Quay, Dublin 2, [82]. Spread over two stories on two buildings very near to O’Connell Bridge, they produce a very good stout quite different to Guinness, fresher and more complex, plus their own ale and lager. Also has good cafeteria-style lunch sets for around €10.
The Porterhouse – Parliament Street, Dublin 2. As well as good indigenous brews including a non-vegetarian oyster stout, there is an extensive Belgian and international beer list. Porterhouse Plain Porter has twice won “best stout in the world” and is worth trying. Also does good reasonably priced food. Has sister pubs in Bray and Phibsboro and on Grafton Street.
Bars
The Foggy Dew – Temple Bar next to the Central Bank. Very popular bar with all kinds of people. Has good selection of craft beer.
Bruxelles – off Grafton St next to Westbury Hotel. Very lively and popular. Spread over 3 bars the music and atmosphere is loud. A statue of Phil Lynott (from Irish rock band Thin Lizzy) is outside. If you like metal, rock and indie music go downstairs.
The Duke – Duke St (off Grafton St). Great after-work bar and Fridays are very busy.
The Bernard Shaw – Portobello (near Harcourt St). One of the best indie bars in Dublin, very popular with 18-25 Dubliners and always welcoming to visitors.
Clubs
The Button Factory – Curved Street, Temple Bar, Dublin 2. One of Dublin’s top clubs, the Button Factory is 700+ capacity venue hosting regular international acts. Formally known as The Temple Bar Music Centre, in recent years the venue has been renovated to give it some of the best acoustics in the capital, facilitating its hosting of leftfield live acts as well as its regular club nights. This is one of Dublin’s top clubs which caters mainly for students but delivers on big names regularly.
The Academy – Middle Abbey Street, Dublin 1. This venue has changed its tune from Hot Press Hall Of Fame to Spirit nightclub. Now renamed The Academy it now doubles as both a live venue and a dance club. Their dot matrix sign outside the venue usually advertises upcoming events.
Twisted Pepper – 54 Middle Abbey Street, Dublin 1. Located just two doors away from The Academy, Twisted Pepper is both a swish bar and underground club. The club, which was formerly known as ‘Traffic’, was taken over by well known and highly regarded Dublin promoters Bodytonic last year and has since gone through an extensive facelift. Open Wednesday through Sunday the club caters for students during the week and dedicated electronic music lovers on weekends, mixing house, techno, disco, funk, soul & reggae. ‘Mud’ is the name of Friday nights, and ‘POGO’ is Saturday nights, both mixing local acts with international guests.
Krystle – Harcourt Street, Dublin 2. This club is a new haven for the nouveau riche and wannabe celebrities of Ireland. If you want to go C list celebrity spotting and doing some over the top posing, you’ll be at home.
Copper Face Jacks – Harcourt Street, Dublin 2. A popular place with country people as opposed to Dubliners, this venue is dark and seedy. Bear in mind because of its reputation there is often up to three boys there for every girl at weekends. It is owned by a retired Garda and is frequented by serving members of the force so an altercation in the men’s room is not advised as you may be in more trouble than you think. Entry into the club start at about €5-10 per person depending on the day, also free before midnight weekdays and 11pm at the weekend.
The Palace – Camden Street, Dublin 2. Popular with 18-20 yr’s club, recently renovated to the tune of €1m. The place is full to the brim every Friday and Saturday, attracting students, professionals and everyone else in between. €10cover charge.
The Dragon – 64 South Georges Street, Dublin 2. A new gay-friendly superpub, beside the renowed “George Bar”. Newly decorated in Moulin Rouge style interior, the crowd is mostly gay with late nights on Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Superb cocktails are served by beautiful bartenders. Monday is Dolly does the Dragon, a fun and party atmosphere late night with Gay and straight mingling with Dolly as she performs famous hits. Full of bubbly people and the best night in Dublin on Mondays. The weekend nights are full of people dancing away as if they were in Ibiza. Door policy is relaxed as is the atmosphere in the club.
Outside The City Centre
Wrights Venue – Swords is the premier nightclub in North County Dublin if you are staying North of the canals a taxi ride will typically cost around €20 for up to 4 people (a bus sometimes also runs). It is best to find out if there is anything on before traveling as it is some distance from the city (about 10km), but by far, Wrights is the preferred venue of many Dublin clubbers, and has the largest capacity of any nightclub in Ireland.
Club 92 – Leopardstown is the leading out of city Nightclub on the southside of Dublin. Been in business for over 15 years, Club 92 is where many of the young trendies of South Dublin can be found socialising, although dress-code is strict and it is advised to call ahead to ensure entry is guaranteed. The easiest access is by taxi, but taking a Green Line Luas to Sandyford and walking for ten minutes can save a few Euro – return journeys are typically only by taxi and work out at around €25 to the city centre for up to 4 people.